April Events in Astronomical Science Policy
Ashlee Wilkins
Welcome to the April 2018 monthly event roundup of the AAS Policy Blog, in which we share a list of events that fall under the umbrella of astronomical science — i.e., astrophysics, planetary science, and/or heliophysics — policy. Events might be congressional hearings, advisory committee meetings, Capitol Hill briefings, networking opportunities, and/or public lectures. Most events occur here in Washington, DC, are open to the public, and/or will be live streamed. Some may require advanced registration for in-person attendance (either for security or capacity reasons), and we try to note that in the listing. If an event is on this calendar, someone from the AAS Public Policy team will likely be in attendance, so come say hello!
Other relevant policy event calendars:
- Space Policy Online Event Calendar, for all things space, including civil, commercial, and defense
- American Institute of Physics FYI This Week, for recaps and events happening in physical sciences policy
Sometimes events are announced on timescales shorter than one month; we will update this post whenever we have something new to add. Please email us if you have a correction or an event that you think should be included in this roundup.
Beyond the events highlighted below, there are some other notable deadlines/important milestones coming up this month:
- 16 April: Tentative TESS Launch Date. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is scheduled to launch no earlier than 6:32 pm on 16 April on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket; TESS will be Falcon 9's first science launch for NASA.
- 19 April: AAAS 2019 Session Proposals Due Session proposals for the 2019 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting, to be held 14 − 18 February 2019 in Washington, DC. The meeting theme is "Science Transcending Boundaries."
April 2018 Events
Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG)
Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA
3 − 5 April (Tuesday − Thursday)
Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport
Crystal City, VA
The Quest to Colonize the Cosmos: How Billionaires Are Changing the Space Industry
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
4 April (Wednesday)
5:30 pm − 6:30 pm
CSIS Headquarters
1616 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Washington, DC
Details, webcast, and registration
The economic, political, and security implications of technology transfer
Center for Technology Innovation, Brookings Institution
5 April (Thursday)
10:00 am − 12:00 pm
Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC
The Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution will host a discussion on technology transfer. The two-panel program will focus on growth opportunities for technology transfer as well as national security risks and the challenges that accompany innovation.
Details and registration
Science Policy Happy Hour
Engaging Scientists and Engineers in Policy (ESEP)
5 April (Thursday)
5:30 pm − 7:30 pm
Penn Social
801 E Street NW
Washington, DC
Details and future ESEP events
Heliophysics Advisory Committee
Heliophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA
5 − 6 April (Thursday − Friday)
NASA HQ
Congressional Hearing: "Scholars or Spies: Foreign Plots Targeting America’s Research and Development"
Oversight Subcommittee and Research and Technology Subcommittee
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
11 April (Wednesday)
10:00 am
2318 Rayburn House Office Building
Evidence in Congress: Charting a New Direction for Using Evidence to Inform Legislative Decision-Making
Bipartisan Policy Center
11 April (Wednesday)
2:00 pm − 4:00 pm
Capitol Visitor Center, Room SVC 208-209
Washington, DC
More details, registration for in-person attendance, and webcast
Congressional Hearing: FY19 DOE and NNSA Budgets
Energy and Water Subcommittee, Senate Appropriations Committee
11 April (Wednesday)
2:30 pm
138 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Astrophysics Advisory Committee
Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA
11 − 12 April (Wednesday − Thursday)
NASA HQ
POLITICO Space: The Launch Event
12 April (Thursday)
9:30 am
The St. Regis Hotel
923 16th Street NW
Washington, DC
Congressional Hearing: FY19 NASA Budget
Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee, House Appropriations Committee
12 April (Thursday)
10:00 am
US Capitol, Room H-309
Webinar: Opening Doors in Glass Walls for Women in STEM
Wilson Center Science and Technology Innovation Program
13 April (Friday)
10:00 am − 11:00 am
Congressional Committee Markup
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
17 April (Tuesday)
10:00 am
2318 Rayburn House Office Building
The Committee will mark up (debate, consider amendments to, and vote on) two bills:
- H.R. 5509, the "Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act," an act to direct the National Science Foundation to provide grants for research about STEM education approaches and the STEM-related workforce.
- H.R. 5503, the "National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2018," an act to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.
Advanced Scientific Computing Advisory Committee (ASCAC)
Office of Science, DOE/b>
17 − 18 April (Tuesday − Wednesday)
Sheraton Hotel Pentagon City
Arlington, VA
The ASCAC advises the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) on issues related to its Advanced Scientific Computing Research program (ASCR).
Details and agenda
Is Astronomy Ready for the James Webb Space Telescope?
Exploring Space Lectures, National Air and Space Museum
18 April (Wednesday)
8:00 pm
National Air and Space Museum
Washington, DC
Free, but tickets are required.
Details and tickets
Advisory Committee for Polar Programs
NSF
18 − 19 March (Wednesday − Thursday)
NSF Headquarters
Alexandria, VA
Exoplanet Science Strategy
Space Studies Board, National Academy of Sciences
19 − 20 April (Thursday − Friday)
Irvine, CA
Eyes on the Universe: Carnegie’s Leadership in Astronomy Today
Carnegie Institute of Washington
19 April (Thursday)
6:30 pm − 7:30 pm
5241 Broad Branch Road NW
Washington, DC
Doors open at 6:00 pm.. Lecture Hall seating is first come, first serve. Registration is encouraged to skip the sign-in process at the door.
Space on the Hill: Toolkit for Hunting Exoplanets
AAS and SAO
25 April (Wednesday)
9:30 am
2325 Rayburn House Office Building
Advisory Committee for Geosciences
NSF
25 − 26 April (Wednesday − Thursday)
NSF Headquarters
Alexandria, VA
Astrobiology Science Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe
National Academy of Sciences
25 − 27 April (Wednesday − Friday)
Keck Center
500 5th Street NW
Washington, DC
Congressional Hearing: Surveying the Space Weather Landscape
Subcommittees on Space and Environment
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
26 April (Thursday)
2318 Rayburn House Office Building